View source for Phytalus

{{Short description|King of Attica who gave Demeter hospitality}}

In [[Greek mythology]], '''Phytalus''' ([[Ancient Greek]]: Φύταλος, ''Phútalos'') was a hero and king of [[Attica]] who gave [[Demeter]] hospitality when she was searching for her daughter, [[Persephone]]. Demeter thanked Phytalus for his kindness by giving him a fig-tree. He was revered in [[Eleusis]]. His tomb was shown in the [[deme]] Lakidai near [[Cephissus (Athenian plain)|Cephisus]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Graeciae Descriptio'' 1.37.2 (quoting an inscription on what was purported to be Phytalus' grave)</ref>

Members of the clan Phytalidae, who claimed descent from Phytalus, were said to have cleansed [[Theseus]] of the murders he had committed on his way from [[Troezen]] to [[Athens]] and to have later been put in charge of the [[hero cult]] of Theseus in reward for their hospitality.<ref>[[Plutarch]], ''Theseus'' 12.1 & 23.3</ref>

==Notes==
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== References ==

* [[Plutarch|Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus]], ''Lives'' with an English Translation by Bernadotte Perrin. Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. London. William Heinemann Ltd. 1914. 1. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0067 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.] [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0075 Greek text available from the same website].
* [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. {{ISBN|0-674-99328-4}}. [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0160 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library]
* Pausanias, ''Graeciae Descriptio.'' ''3 vols''. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903.  [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0159 Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library].

[[Category:Kings in Greek mythology]]
[[Category:Mythological people from Attica]]
[[Category:Eleusinian mythology]]
[[Category:Deeds of Demeter]]

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